Biostatistician, II

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Occupational Summary

Under the leadership of the Biostatistics Core management team in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, perform intermediate-level statistical analysis and programming for a broad range of research projects. Collaborate closely with a cross-functional project team, including clinical investigators, quantitative scientists, and graduate students, with regard to statistical aspects of each project. Perform a variety of intermediate-level statistical and technical activities for the design, analysis and interpretation of statistical data in conjunction with an academic research program based in one of the departments, centers or institutes of the University. Participate in collaborative efforts to provide statistical support for the projects coming through the Biostatistics Core.

Responsibilities

communication, leadership, and project management (20%)

• Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, to internal team, colleagues, and functional group leadership on a regular basis
• Participate in and contribute to project team and analysis discussions in a meaningful way
• Give oral presentations of results/status at investigator/project/other meetings with minimal guidance
• Engage with the scientific questions being addressed in collaborations and clearly communicates statistical concepts in the context of the research.
• Notify team leaders and/or managers of important or problematic issues in a timely manner
• Identify opportunities to develop skills or efficiencies and share skills with others for professional development
• Seek guidance for project-related tasks and analyses and regularly update appropriate team members regarding progress and issues with the project
• Manage one or more projects and show understanding of overall project/collaboration objectives.
• With increasing levels of independence, create accurate timelines and take necessary steps to meet project deadlines.
• Support statistical advisor in developing and managing new collaborations such as, submission of new grants that cover biostatistical effort, development of new internal or external collaborative agreements that cover biostatistical effort

Statistical analysis planning, Specifications, and Analysis (20%)

• Write statistical analysis plans and analysis data set specifications following the standard guideline and template, with guidance
• Write simple table, figure, and listing specifications without guidance following the standard guidelines and templates for creating specifications
• Perform and interpret common statistical analysis results in an accurate manner with decreasing amounts of guidance
• Attempt new statistical methods when analysis needs to change, with guidance
• Document analysis steps properly; summarize and present results (verbal and written) to requester clearly
• Write methods and analysis sections of reports/manuscripts with decreasing levels of assistance of statistical advisor or reviewing statistician

statistical and clinical knowledge (10%)

• Understand and apply statistical methods commonly used within collaborative projects (ex: linear, categorical, and survival data analysis)
• Interpret results correctly according to the method and scientific context
• With guidance, identify gaps in statistical knowledge and consult biostatisticians with appropriate expertise
• With guidance, gain in-depth knowledge about appropriate statistical methodology as related to ongoing projects/collaborations
• With guidance, teach appropriate statistical methodology to investigators, quantitative methodologists, and less experienced biostatisticians
• Review clinical papers relevant to ongoing projects/collaborations with guidance from statistical advisor

data management and programming (50%)

• Possess a basic understanding of data collection systems or other data generation mechanisms being used in assigned projects
• Understand different data structures including relational database concepts in relation to creating files for analysis
• Understand the role of data management in the project team
• Demonstrate solid SAS or R basic programming knowledge
• Document programs clearly so that other statisticians/programmers will be able to follow them.
• Check and/or verify results (QC) based on provided specifications for simple statistical analyses and output without supervision, and complex statistical analyses and output with guidance
• Learn new programming languages and tools as needed (e.g. Stata, PASS, python, github, JSON, jupyter) with guidance

Education

Position requires a minimum of a Masters degree in (bio) statistics or related field and no relevant experience (preferred) or a Bachelor's degree in (bio) statistics or related field and 2 years relevant experience.

Experience

Contribution to analysis of clinical trials and/or clinical research projects, and/or participation in preparation of academic manuscripts or other written summaries of analysis results, thorough experience with SAS or R, and solid command of the English language is required. Desirable experience includes prior role as a contributing statistician on clinical trials and/or clinical research projects that have delivered the agreed-upon end products on time.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.